The city of Puerto de la Cruz is a Spanish municipality on the northern coast of the island of Tenerife. Situated in the lush Orotava Valley, Puerto de la Cruz offers a tranquil atmosphere away from the more traditional tourist areas of Tenerife.
The old port area is a hive of activity and many boutique shops, bars and bistros can be found nearby.
The town’s beaches can be found to the west of the harbour, and are composed of the island’s natural, black coarse sand. The substantial surf may seem daunting but there are many lifeguards at hand to ensure tourists’ safety.
Showcasing a wonderful array of exotic flora and fauna, the Botanic Gardens offer the chance to relax in quiet surroundings, while the Old Town is filled with distinct Canarian charm. Tourists can while away the hours wandering the cobbled streets or stopping by one of the many colonial-style cafés and bars.
Attractions
We’ve selected our top 5 things to see and do in Puerto de la Cruz:
Loro Parque: No visit would be complete without a trip to Loro Parque, an animal adventure park. The dolphin and orca shows are especially memorable.
La Orotava: For a true taste of Canarian culture, pay a visit to the town of La Orotava. The museums and the gardens of Jardines Victoria alone are worth the trip.
Jardín de Aclimatación de la Orotava: Larger than the gardens at La Orotava, these Botanic Gardens are (despite the name) in the heart of Puerto de la Cruz. Take a moment to relax amongst the many exotic tropical and sub-tropical plants.
Costa Martianez: Ideal for families, Costa Martianez is an outdoor Museum of Contemporary Art that functions as a stunning water park. Canarian architect and artist César Manrique was one of the principle designers.
Playa Jardín: Playa Jardín is situated close to Loro Parque and is arguably the best beach in Puerto de la Cruz.
Accommodation
One of the finest luxury hotels in the Canary islands, Hotel Botanico & The Oriental Spa Garden is an award-winning five-star establishment that will more than meet expectations.
Hotel Riu Garoe receives rave reviews for its superb four-star accommodations and it epitomises Spanish hospitality.
For smaller budgets, Hotel Sun Holidays lies in the historic city centre of Puerto de la Cruz, just a brief walk from attractions like Loro Parque and Playa Jardín.
Don Candido offers everything you’d expect from an inexpensive hotel. It’s an ideal choice for tourists simply looking for a clean and comfortable place to sleep.
Weather
Puerto de la Cruz is located on the peninsula at the base of the La Orotava Valley, and while it benefits from a Mediterranean climate it is slightly cooler than elsewhere on the island of Tenerife.
The amount of rainfall is not enough to get in the way of holidays, but it is sufficient to ensure the region’s exquisite gardens remain breath-taking all year round. The showers are generally very brief and infrequent.
Lasting between June and September, summers in Puerto de la Cruz are very hot with temperatures typically reaching highs of 30°C. These temperatures have been known to spike in August.
Winters occur between December and February and are comfortably warm at an average of 20°C and above. During winter, the sun shines for approximately six hours per day, making it the most popular season for tourists to visit.
For up to date weather in Puerto de la Cruz visit our partner site World Weather Online.
Clothing
Whether you’re travelling in summer or winter, it pays to be prepared with sunglasses, sun cream and a protective hat. Clothing should be kept lose and comfortable to help combat the heat.
If wandering around the Botanic Gardens, sensible shoes will ensure the experience is enjoyable.
Ideal for…?
Families are sure to have a memorable time in Puerto de la Cruz thanks to the wide-ranging appeal of the many attractions and accommodations.
The town is quieter than many other areas on the island, so couples will have no problem in finding romantic moments alone.
Groups of friends holidaying together will also be impressed by the hot weather, fabulous beaches and quaint bars.